Signal



April 8, 1941. G. WELLS, JR

SIGNAL Filed March 6, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 650865 [kw/N WELLS, J12.

April 8, 1941. G. l. WELLS, JR

SIGNAL Filed March 6, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 650/865 1/? W/N WELLS, J/e,

Patented Apr. 8, 1941 UNITED STATES PATNT SIGNAL George Irwin Wells, Jr., Yonkers, N. Y., asalgn'cr of one-half to John J. Dran, Yonkers, N. it.

, 4 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in signals for use more particularly on the road to warn automobile drivers to slow down and proceed carefully.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a readily portable, lightweight device of this character which may be folded into compact form for carrying in an automobile and quickly set up on the road by a motorist repairing his car alongside the road to warn oncoming motorists of the situation obtaining, and thereby prevent such every-day accidents as the killing, or injuring, of motorists repairing their cars while parked alongside the public highways, particularly on curves.

Another object is to provide a. device for the purposes above set forth which is equipped for flashing an illuminated signal and illuminating a signalling flag and for automatic energizing as regards illumination as an incident to setting up the same on the road.

To the accomplishment of the above, and subordinate objects presently appearing, a preferred embodiment of my invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, set forth in detail in the succeeding description and defined in the claims appended hereto.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the pre ferred embodiment of my invention, and showing the device folded for storage,

Figure 2 is a similar view on a reduced scale showing the signal set up,

I Figure 3 is a view in longitudinal section taken on the line 33 of Figure 5,

Figure 4 is a view in top plan of the device set up, and

Figure 5 is a view in transverse section taken on the line 5 -5 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, the signal of my invention comprises a tubular casing l of suitable size and metal and having a bottom end closed by a circular plug 2 fitting therein and provided with a lateral edge flange 3 seating against said end and extending beyond the same. An internal radial stud 4 in said plug and a bayonet slot 5 in said casing receiving said stud provide for detachably securing the plug in the casing. The other, or top, end of the casing l is apertured to provide rectangular windows 6 circumferentially spaced apart, equidistantly, by longitudinally extending separator strips i, there being preferably three such windows spaced from the top edge of the casing l to provide a narrow rim part 8 around said end.

A disk 9 of insulation material is fitted in the casing l diametrically thereof adjacent the windows 8, said disk being suitably secured in said casing between the upper and lower keeper lugs I8, ll, provided in the casing, the top lugs being bendable over said disk. The disk 9 is suitably apertured axially to receive the threaded plug and of an electric light I2 for illuminating the casing above the disk 9.

A tubular glass housing member i3 is slidably fitted inthe top end of the casing l to rest on the upper lugs H and close the windows 6, said member having its top end spaced slightly inwardly of the top edge of the casing l for a pur-- pose presently seen. The top end of the casing is closed by an annular lens holder id threaded into the rim part 8 and seating thereon and having suitably secured therein, as by crimping said holder over the edge of the lens as at E5, a convex lens it of any suitable unbreakable plastic colored red and adapted to project light rays from the light l2 upwardly in a vertical beam. The holder I4 is provided with a radial ly extending arm ll having an apertured outer end forming a socket I8, the axis of which is parallel to that of the casing l for holding the hand grip end of a flag staff l9 upright with the flag 20 positioned to Wave above the lens 16, the socket I8 and staff l9 being threaded to secure the former in the latter.

Upper and lower pairs of resilient clips 2! 22, are provided on the casing l, exteriorly thereof, below the windows 6 and in line with the arm 6?. said clips being spaced apart along the casing I at suitable points to receive therein the flag 20 when furled, or rolled, around the stafi IQ. As best shown in Figure 3, the staff i9 is shorter than the casing l so that the flag may be stored in said clips 2|, 22, close to the casing l between the flange 3 and arm H, and said flag and casing compactly related.

A tripod arrangement of legs 23 is provided for supporting the casing l in upright position, said legs being of bar-like metal with upper ends pivoted, as at 2 5, in sheet metal open-ended yokes 25 spanning the upper ends of the legs and suitably secured to the casing l to extend endwise longitudinally thereof. The yokes 25 are equidistantly spaced apart around the casing I in line with the strips 7 and adjacent to the windows l3 and tapered upwardly, the arrangement being such that the yokes act as stops for the legs 23 below the pivots 2 5 of the latter, whereby said legs may be swung outwardly in limited degree into downwardly flaring position to support the casing l, or swung inwardly against said casing to fold alongside the same. As will be understood, the legs 23 are-sufficiently long to elevate the casing l off the road. Notches 3' are provided in the flange 3 to accommodate the legs 23 when the latter are folded.

The casing I is designed to contain a pair of cylindrical dry batteries 26 disposed end to end with the lower one having one end terminal, not

shown, seated on and contacting a coil spring 21 seated on the plug 2. The other terminal 28 of said lower battery contacts an end terminal, not shown, of the other battery 26, the latter having its other terminal 29 contacting the usual contact button 30 of one side of the electric light I2.

Means are provided for completing the circuit from the batteries 26 to the light l2 when one of the legs 23 is swung outwardly into the limit of its position in that direction. Such means comprises an extension 3! on the upper end of said one leg, above the pivot 2 thereof, which, under outward swinging of said one leg is projected into the casing 1 into engagement with one end.

of a leaf spring contact 32 of right angled form having its other end of annularshape and riveted on top of the disk 9, as at 33, in surrounding relation and contact with the plug casing of the electric light l2, which is to say, the other side of said light. Suitable slots 35, 35 are provided in one of the strips l and the member 13 for projection of said extension 3! into said member.

As will be understood, the spring 27, plug 2, casing i and yoke 25 of the leg 23 having extension 3! are of such material as to form electrical conductors and the extension 3| and contact 32 form the complemental elements of a switch, whereby when the extension 3! engages the contact 32 circuit is completed from the batteries 26 to the light l2 and broken when said extension is disengaged from said contact 32. Consequently, when the leg 23 is swung into its outward limit of movement in setting up the device on the road the light l2 is automatically energized.

The described device is designed to be set up in any desired location on the road by unfolding the legs 23, in the manner already described, and when set up, to illuminate the road by way of the windows 6 and also illuminate the flag 2d through the medium of said lens IS, the lens projecting a red beam upwardly and laterally. Thus a double signal is provided for an automobile driver designed to instantly arrest the attention of others and by means oi which he may warn others that he is parked ahead so that they may act with the proper caution to prevent colliding with him or his car. Obviously the signal is of particular value when placed on curves behind the parked driver and may be used ahead as well as to the rear of the parked car. As will also be manifest, the signal may be used without the flag effectively and by properly adjusting the leg 23 having the extension 3|, the light l 2 may be cut out and the flag used alone. Since the legs 23 fold alongside and close to the easing I and the flag 2 5 when furled may be stored in the clips 2i, 22, likewise close alongside said casing, the device may be arranged to form a compact unit for carrying and storing in an automobile.

The foregoing will, it is believed, sufiice to impart a clear understanding of my invention without further explanation.

Manifestly the invention, as described, is susceptible of modification without departing from the inventive concept and right is herein reserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the subjoined claims.

'What I claim is:

1. In a signal for setting up on a highway to warn motorists of danger ahead, a tubular casing adapted to be disposed in upright position and provided adjacent the upper end thereof with circumferenttally spaced windows therein, a flag staff secured to the side of the casing to extend above said upper end thereof for supporting a flag above said end, a plurality of supporting legs for said casing pivotally mounted thereon for swinging toward and from the casing into folded and unfolded positions, respectively, means in said casing flOl' projecting a beam of light upwardly to illuminate said flag for signalling purposes comprising an electric light, said light being adjacent said windows to project signalling rays of light laterally therefrom, and means including a source of energy in said casing for energizing said light, said means being rendered effective by swinging of one leg into unfolded position. I

2. In a signal for setting up on a highway to warn motorists of danger ahead, a. tubular casing adapted to be disposed in upright position and provided adjacent the upper end thereof with circumferentially spaced windows therein, a flag staff secured to the side of the casing to extend above said upper end thereof for supporting a flag above said end, a plurality of supporting legs for said casing pivotally mounted thereon for swinging toward and from the easing into folded and unfolded positions, respectively, means in said casing for projecting a beam of light upwardly to illuminate said flag for signailing purposes comprising an electric light, said light being adjacent to said windows toproject signalling rays of light laterally therefrom, and means including a source of energy in said casing for energizing said light, said means including a switch in the casing closed by swinging of one leg into unfolded position.

3. In a signal for setting up alongside a highway to warn motorists of danger ahead, a tubular casing adapted to be disposed in upright position, and provided adjacent the upper end thereof with circumferentially spaced windows therein, a plurality of supporting legs for said casing pivotally mounted thereon for swinging toward and from the casing into folded and unfolded positions, respectively, an electric light mounted in said casing adjacent said windows for illuminating the same to project light rays latenally therethrough, a colored lens in the upper end of said casing for projecting a colored column of light upwardly, and means to energize said electric light including a source of energy in said casing, and a switch in the casing closed under engagement of one leg therewith.

4. In a signal for. setting up on a highway to wam motorists of danger ahead, a tubular casing adapted to be disposed in upright position.

and provided adjacent the upper end thereof with circumferentially spaced windows therein, a flag stafi secured to the side of the casing to extend above said upper end thereof for sup-portinga flag above said end, a lens in the top of the casing for projecting a beam of light upwardly upon the flag, a plurality of supporting legs for said casing pivotally mounted thereon for swinging toward and from the casing into folded and unfolded positions, respectively, an electric light in said casing adjacent said windows for illuminating the same for signalling purposes and to illuminate said lens, and means to energize said light rendered effective by swinging of one leg into unfolded position, said means comprising a source of energy in said casing, and a switch in the casing closed under engagement of said one leg therewith. 4

GEORGE IRWIN WELLS, JR. 

